Reply to "Ball-Hogging" in Basketball - where do you side on this?

Forum Index » Elementary School-Aged Kids

Reply to ""Ball-Hogging" in Basketball - where do you side on this?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
Boy 1 plays aggressively and goes for the ball at every opportunity. He also scores a lot of points for the team. He is still learning the team aspect of the game, for example, how to better evaluate his position on the court and know when to pass when someone else could take a better shot. But he is still accused of being a "ball hog," which is apparently the worst criticism a 10 year old boy can give another boy on the team.
[/quote]

Is Boy 1 actually working on those skills? Or is he counting on being the winner, and thus doesn't need to learn to pass, evaluate openings, play as a member of a team instead of hot dogging? If you want your kid to become a better teammate, remind him that the fastest way to get the ball down court and into the basket is by passing. He can pass to a teammate, cut to the basket, and take the pass if the teammate can make it, or be ready to rebound if the teammate chose to try the shot. At young ages, a team with one good player can do well. The older the kids get the less that works. He should be learning how to be a team player. You can help him by giving him ideas for how to practice his weak areas.

[quote=Anonymous]
Boy 2 has someone just like his brother on his team. When I watch those games, I see how annoying it is to the other kids when the "star" takes over and seemingly limits the others' ability to participate. But they all want to win, so they reluctantly adapt. Other parents have made snide comments about this kid and his "ball hogging," (there it is again) even though their sons (mine included in this case) are clearly inferior players.
[/quote]

The ball hog isn't seemingly limiting the other team members participation, he is limiting the others participation. It's a shame they've been taught that winning is important enough that they're willing to not play like they'd desire. They're sacrificing their learning and the ball hog is taking it from them. The ball hog is also limiting his ability to learn the game. The coach shouldn't allow it.

Inferior players are allowed to play. Sometimes the inferior players become the superior players the next year. That only happens if they're allowed to play and learn the skills.

My DS went from being one of the weaker players on his team when he was young to eventually wanting a higher level of play. He joined a team that required try-outs. He gets to play at a higher level. He is continuing learning how to play on a team as a teammate. But if a child chooses to continue playing on recreation level teams, that child agrees to play as a member of that team whether he's the best player or not. There are always ways to challenge even the best player in a field of mediocre players.
[/quote]

[quote=Anonymous]
I get that the purpose of these leagues is for everyone to learn to play the game, but I also think that at 10/ 11 they are at the point where the skills of the better and more dedicated players are going to start coming through. And that should be encouraged, right?
[/quote]

One of the best players on my DS's first team actually helped him increase his skills. By mid-season the other teams had all figured that DS never touched the ball and wasn't a threat. The coach set up some plays between DS and this other kid which helped get the heat off the other kid and free him up for better shots, and helped my DS feel more comfortable catching and passing the ball. Occasionally even making shots. The kid knew he'd get the ball - he was the best player of course the kids on his team would throw him the ball. Increasing the ability of the team only made it a better game for everyone. That is how you encourage skills, not by letting someone try to win the game single-handedly.

If winning is everything, recreation leagues are not where your children should be playing. Recreation leagues should be more focused on developing good sportsmanship and the love of the sport, no matter how bad a player is.

You need to talk to Boy 1. He's being a poor teammate. And you need to encourage Boy 2 to play as hard as he can and not depend on the ball hog on his team; if he thinks he has a shot he should take it and not give it away.

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics